Eastern long-necked turtle

Chelodina longicollis

The Eastern long-necked turtle is a special turtle with a very long neck! It loves to swim and can often be found in rivers and ponds, poking its head out of the water to breathe.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Eastern long-necked turtle has a distinctive very long, snake-like neck and a flattened, oval-shaped shell. Its shell is typically dark olive to brown, while its underside is pale cream to yellow. Its long neck is key to distinguishing it from other freshwater turtles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesFamilyChelidaeGenusChelodina

Eastern long-necked turtle

Interesting facts

Some turtles, like this one, can breathe underwater by absorbing oxygen through their bum (cloaca)!

Their long, snake-like neck can be nearly as long as their shell itself!

They can "play dead" by going completely limp and even releasing a stinky fluid!

Unlike most turtles, they can't pull their head into their shell; they fold it sideways!

Special abilities

The Eastern long-necked turtle can rapidly extend its long neck to snatch unsuspecting fish or tadpoles because of its flexible vertebrae.

Eastern long-necked turtles can release a foul-smelling liquid from glands near their legs that helps them deter predators.

Eastern long-necked turtles have a flattened, textured shell that helps them blend perfectly with muddy riverbeds and aquatic plants.

Measurements & details

Length: 18-25 cm
Weight: 0.5-1.5 kg
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Top Speed: 5 km/h
Swim Speed: 4 km/h
Clutch Size: 8-20
Incubation: 70-130 days

Diet & Feeding

This carnivorous turtle mostly ambushes and eats small aquatic animals like insects, tadpoles, and fish.

Age differences: Juveniles may consume a higher proportion of aquatic insect larvae and smaller invertebrates.

Primary Foods

Aquatic insects
Tadpoles
Small fish
Crustaceans

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Foxes prey on turtle eggs and hatchlings.

eaten by

White-faced Heron

Ardea novaehollandiae

Herons may catch juvenile turtles in shallow water.

eats

Mosquito Fish

Gambusia holbrooki

Turtles actively hunt and consume these small fish.

eats

Striped Marsh Frog

Limnodynastes peronii

Turtle preys on tadpoles of this common frog.

eats

Common Yabby

Cherax destructor

Turtles forage for and consume these freshwater crustaceans.

Traits

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Piscivorous

Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.